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[pds]

Hey D-Man,

Do you have any recommendations for dealing with spyware and/or viruses (both prevention and removal)? Specifically, I would like to know if there is a tried and true (and also preferably free) solution that is easy to explain to non-computer-savvy family members over the phone.

1) What kind of computer & operating system you are using?
Windows XP

2) Recreate steps for the problem
Use Internet Explorer and/or Outlook for any length of time

3) When it started happening
Pretty much as soon as they open the program

4) Last thing or things that changed prior to it happening
Email that says "Click here to enlarge your member!" or "You won the lottery!" was opened/clicked.

Thanks!

[D-Man]

Hey pds,
That's an easy one. Try these items:


CLEAN
First thing to do is to clean your system of whatever you may have already. I use two tools (I recommend using BOTH - using just one doesn't always catch everything)
1) www.safer-networking.org has Spybot Search & Destroy. It's a bit clunky to use but it works great. Run both a scan AND an Immunize. I've never had problems or incompatability issues with this.

2) www.adaware.com - from LavaSoft. This is sort-of the defacto product and it's still free. Not sure if it will be forever.

PROTECT
The biggest problem with Adware is the fact that it's so persistent. One of the main ways Adware programs become so "sticky" to your computer and often appear to re-infect it after a product is removed is by hooking into various places within Windows and Internet Explorer itself.

To protect myself from changes, I change the following key option in Internet Explorer (and yes, I still like IE better then Firefox because of ActiveX support):

1. Click Tools from the menu bar and select Internet Options
2. Click the Advanced Tab
3. Scroll down to "Allow third-party browser extensions (requires restart)"
4. UNCHECK that box

Note that this disables 90% of your custom toolbars and some good functionality in IE but it has always kept me safe from unexpected surprises.

If you're not willing to go that far, then learn how to manage your add-ons properly. Try this:

1. Click Tools from the menu bar and select Internet Options
2. Click the Programs Tab
3. Click "Manage Add-Ons..."
4. For each add-on listed, you can click it and select "Disable" at the bottom of the page. This doesn't prevent new add-ons from hijacking IE but it stops old ones from doing so. You can also remove annoying programs and toolbars in this manner from software you've installed.


Hope that helps.
_________________
The world is your oyster.

d-man.org

[pds]

Hey d-man,

Do you have any expert recommendations for virus scanners for windows?

I used to be a happy user of AVG Free 7.5, but the ads it pops up in a new web browser every single day are getting on my nerves.

I would prefer a free solution, but if you have a recommendation that costs money (as long as it is a one-time cost for multiple (2) computers) I would be willing to consider it.

Thanks!
-Paul